Becoming the Dream Disciple

Text: Matthew 28:18-20

  1. Jesus Gives Us Our Identity and Authority

Matthew 28:16-28  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me…” 

  1. Disciples begin by worshipping Jesus vs. 17
  1. Some doubted, some worshipped–just like today
  2. But Jesus meets both groups and calls both into mission
  1. Authority comes before responsibility vs. 18 ,20
  1. We don’t make disciples in our own power; we act under the authority of the risen Christ
  2. Jesus gave his disciples authority in multiple scriptural instances:
  1. “Initially, he summoned the twelve disciples and ‘gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness” ( Matt 10:1 ). This was further elaborated in other Gospel accounts, with Luke noting that Jesus gave them ‘power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases’ and then sent them to ‘proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick’ ( Luke 9:1–2 ). The scope of this authority was comprehensive. Jesus explicitly stated he had given them ‘authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy’ ( Luke 10:19 ). In the Great Commission, Jesus expanded this authority, declaring that ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth’ and promising to be ‘with you always, to the end of the age’ ( Matt 28:18–20 ). Additionally, he sent them as the Father sent him, breathing on them to receive the Holy Spirit and giving them authority to forgive or retain sins ( John 20:21–23 ). He even promised that believers would do the works he did, and ‘even greater works than these’ ( John 14:12 ).
  1. This multifaceted authority was not just about miraculous power, but about continuing Christ’s mission of proclaiming the kingdom and demonstrating God’s transformative power in the world.
  2. Mission Measure Connection — Hungry Learners
  1. We depend on the Holy Spirit daily through listening, Scripture, prayer, and community.
  2. You cannot multiply disciples until you first stand under the authority of the One who makes disciples

  1.  Jesus Gives Us Our Mission: Make Disciples

  1. The mission is clear: Make DISCIPLES, not admirers, attenders or fans
  2. The process involves movement
  1. “Go… baptize… teach…” disciple-making always moves outward
  1. Mission Measure Connection; Compassionate Witness
  1. A disciple sees people and sacrificially engages them for the sake of the gospel.
  2. We go because Jesus came. We engage because Jesus engaged. We love because Jesus loved-This is our Purpose.

  1.  Jesus Shapes Us Through Spirit-Led Practice

Matthew 28:20b  “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…”

  1. Disciples don’t just learn Jesus’ words–they obey them
  2. This requires dependence on the Holy Spirit
  1. You cannot observe Jesus’ commands without supernatural power
  1. This was modeled in a groups - The 12.
  2. Mission Measure Connection; Faithful Friend
  1. Multiplication happens through relational faithfulness:
  2. Rejoicing, weeping, fighting for, not against one another.
  3. You cannot teach what you aren’t living, and you cannot live what you aren’t learning.

  1. Jesus Models Multiplication Through Relationships

2 Timothy 2:2  “What you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

  1. Four generations in one verse
  1. Paul-Timothy-Faithful people-Others
  1. Multiplication is God’s strategy for reaching the world
  2. Mission Measure; Confident Cultivator
  1. We depend on the Holy Spirit daily through listening, Scripture, prayer, and community.
  2. You cannot teach what you aren’t living, and you cannot live what you aren’t learning.
  3. Disciples are not mass-produced. They are hand-crafted in relationships

  1.  Jesus Promises His Presence in Disciple-Making

Matthew 28:20  “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

  1. The mission is impossible without His presence, but guaranteed successful with His presence.
  2. Jesus is not just near you—He is with you, in you, before you, and working through you.
  3. Gospel encouragement
  1. We don’t make disciples by striving—we make disciples by staying with Jesus.

  1. The Four Mission Measures In Daily Life

  1. Hungry Learner
  1. Am I listening to the Spirit daily?
  2. Am I praying Scripture with others?
  1. Compassionate Witness
  1. Who around me needs gospel presence and engagement this week?
  1. Faithful Friend
  1. Who am I fighting for?
  2. Who am I intentionally supporting, rejoicing with, or weeping with?
  1. Confident Cultivator
  1. Who am I empowering?
  2. Who am I training to take my place?

Conclusion

“Go Make Disciples… Starting Today, Right Where You Are”

  • Jesus gave us the identity.
  • Jesus gave us the mission.
  • Jesus gave us the method.
  • Jesus gives us the presence.